Novaki

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Joined2018-08
Last Visited2023-03
LocationMeridian, Mississippi

Younger pipe smoker (30). Been Smokin since approximately 2017. My flavor profile leans more toward Burley and Virginia. I like English and Balkan blends just fine, especially during the winter, but they're not my go-to. Perique does not sit well with me, so I have to take it sparingly. Unfortunately, this prevents me from reviewing/tasting many popular blends including a what's considered THE category of blends for some smokers with Va/Pers. I'm also not too big on overly topped blends as a general rule and love a more "natural" smoke if I can find one. I have some exceptions to this rule, but I actually like to taste the tobacco. I find Virginias can burn a bit to hot on their own, so flake Va/Burs are probably my best bet, but I've yet to try any. I'm curious about Var/Orientals and haven't had much of a chance to taste natural orientals without the addition of Latakia or Perique. There's my flavor preference if you're curious.

Burley: To me this is tobacco. Cool and dry with thick smoke and a good bit of nicotine, but not too much.

Virginia: This is just as much tobacco as burley, and it'd probably be my favorite type, but the smoke is too hot and too weak some times. I think burley compliments Virginia the most for the type of smoke I enjoy.

Cavendish: I could take or leave this type. Cav is such a nebulous term nowadays that it almost doesn't mean anything specific anymore.

Dark Fired: Love this type of blend, but on rare occasions. Not an all-day, everyday smoke for me. Kinda like taking Virginia and making it smokey and meaty.

Turkish/Oriental: A lot of variety. I haven't tried much of this on its own, but I usually enjoy it in English/Balkan blends. Looking forward to trying some more of this on its own.

Latakia: I view this as a nice condiment to have on occasion. I neither love it nor hate it.

Perique: Unfortunately I can't stomach perique. I'm highly sensitive to it and it pretty much ruins any blend I find it in, even if it's just a pinch. The only kind of tobacco I actively avoid. I've tried to develop a taste for it. I wish I liked this more since it shows up in so many highly praised and critically lauded blends.

TL;DR: I love Burley and can't stomach Perique. Virginia is rock solid but burns hot. Everything else is ornamental.

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Reviews

41 reviews
101 helpful votes 		4 star:
17 Strongly Recommended
3 star:
18 Recommended
2 star:
4 Somewhat Recommended
1 star:
2 Not Recommended

Preferences: Unknown

Date Blend Reviews Helpful Rating Avg Rating
2023-01-10 Samuel Gawith - Squadron Leader 540 0 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.4
2023-01-09 Astley's - No.88 Matured Dark Virginia 22 0 ★★★☆ ★★☆☆ 2.5
2023-01-07 McClelland - Frog Morton (Craftsbury Series) 371 0 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.2
2023-01-04 G. L. Pease - Navigator (Old London Series) 46 0 ★★★★ ★★★★ 2.9
2023-01-03 Samuel Gawith - Best Brown Flake 292 1 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.4
2022-12-30 Cornell & Diehl - Carolina Red Flake 2022 (Small Batch) 9 3 ★★★★ 3.6
2022-12-08 G. L. Pease - Sixpence (Old London Series) 69 2 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.3
2022-09-16 McClelland - No. 2005 University 2 0 ★★★☆ ★★☆☆ 2.5
2022-09-07 Peterson - Hyde Park 97 2 ★★★☆ ★★★★ 2.9
2022-09-06 McClelland - No. 2020 Matured Cake 53 0 ★★★☆ ★★★★ 3.2
2022-08-05 Cornell & Diehl - Sun Bear Mountain Flower (Small Batch) 8 4 ★★★★ 3.8
2022-08-01 Cornell & Diehl - Blockade Runner 71 0 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 2.8
2022-04-25 Samuel Gawith - Kendal Cream Deluxe Flake 167 3 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 3.0
2021-03-19 Samuel Gawith - Hansom Flake 19 0 ★★★★ 2.7
2021-01-07 Cornell & Diehl - Golden Days of Yore 29 3 ★★★☆ ★★☆☆ 2.6
2020-11-03 Cornell & Diehl - Christmas Blend 2016 (Corn Cob Pipe and A Button Nose) 32 2 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 3.0
2020-10-11 Cornell & Diehl - Autumn Evening 301 1 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 2.8
2020-10-09 Cornell & Diehl - Miskatonic Mixture (The Old Ones) 8 5 ★★★★ ★★★☆ 3.1
2020-10-02 Sutliff Tobacco Company - Pumpkin Spice 29 1 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 2.7
2020-10-01 Cornell & Diehl - Nutty Irishman 33 2 ★★☆☆ ★★★☆ 2.6
2020-09-27 Lane Limited - Captain Black Gold 208 1 ★☆☆☆ ★★☆☆ 2.1
2020-09-27 Peter Stokkebye - Norwegian Blend (No.80) 27 2 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 3.0
2020-05-17 Bengal Slices - Bengal Slices (re-release) 65 1 ★★☆☆ ★★★★ 3.3
2020-04-22 Cornell & Diehl - Briar Fox 177 3 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 3.0
2020-04-20 Seattle Pipe Club - Plum Pudding 188 4 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.5
2020-04-16 Cornell & Diehl - Star of the East 103 3 ★★★★ ★★★☆ 3.2
2020-04-13 Lane Limited - 1-Q 394 5 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 2.8
2020-04-12 Hearth & Home - WhiteKnight (Marquee Series) 87 7 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.4
2020-04-12 Hearth & Home - Black House (Marquee Series) 111 2 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.6
2020-04-10 Peter Stokkebye - English Luxury (No.17) 77 4 ★★☆☆ ★★★☆ 3.1
2020-04-05 Peter Stokkebye - Luxury Bullseye Flake (No. 403) 300 2 ★★★☆ ★★★★ 3.3
2020-04-05 G. L. Pease - Maltese Falcon (Heirloom Collection) 166 3 ★★★☆ ★★★★ 3.2
2020-04-05 Cornell & Diehl - Haunted Bookshop 273 5 ★☆☆☆ ★★★☆ 2.8
2020-04-01 Lane Limited - Captain Black Copper 29 3 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.3
2019-08-21 Mac Baren - HH Old Dark Fired 241 3 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.6
2019-08-15 Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) - Sir Walter Raleigh 253 7 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 2.8
2019-07-28 East India Trading Co. - Royal Challenge 14 2 ★★☆☆ ★★★☆ 2.6
2019-06-15 Peter Stokkebye - Luxury Twist Flake (No. 402) 222 3 ★★★★ ★★★☆ 3.2
2019-02-04 John Middleton, Inc - Carter Hall 442 3 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 3.0
2018-10-30 Lane Limited - Captain Black Royal 240 6 ★★★★ ★★★☆ 2.6
2018-10-05 Lane Limited - Captain Black Original (Regular) 500 3 ★★★☆ ★★★☆ 2.5